Veterans Mental Health Symposium Report

The communiqué and detailed report from the 2015 ASCN Centenary of Anzac Veterans’ Mental Health Symposium held in Christchurch, New Zealand in September 2015 is now available in our Members Hub.

The symposium saw experts and thought leaders across health services, policy development, research and finance sharing ideas and exploring opportunities for improving mental health services for Veterans as well as emergency first responders in New Zealand and Australia.

The communiqué and report provides comprehensive summaries of key issues and ideas presented by panellists and participants across 13 session covering topics including:

• local and international trends in managing Veterans with PTSD and other conditions, and the impact of these conditions on their families
• the role of GPs, other health providers and support agencies in screening, supporting and managing these conditions, and barriers to adopting new solutions
• opportunities to improve health outcomes, wellbeing and independence of Veterans
• the financial sustainability of care.

The symposium generated recommendations on health care reform and Veterans’ mental health with delegates proposing practical initiatives to deliver on several recommendations.  ASCN is coordinating this work to drive implementation.  Progress will be assessed at the next symposium, to be held in Adelaide, Australia on 4 and 6 October 2016.

Our sincere appreciation to everyone who attended and contributed to the 2015 Symposium, and to those participating in developing and implementing the recommendations.

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